Attire Accessories - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 74)

32 Big is beautiful Louise Prance looks at how you can make Spring Fair 2019 work for your business Spring Fair has always been a masterclass in just how to put on a show. And it’s not just any show – it’s the biggest one in the UK. Catering not only to our beloved fashion accessories industry, it also covers the home and gift markets. As one of the first shows I visited as editor of Attire Accessories , it was initially overwhelming. However, after taking five minutes out, I had a strategic POA in place, and it became evident that the great and the good of the industry were there in abundance. This year the show has been taken over by ITE, but don’t expect too much of the format to have changed – the organiser is gearing up for a big overhaul in 2020. However, it will, as always, throw the spotlight on the hottest and most desirable new items on the market, with thousands of exhibitors and trade professionals set to be in attendance. The show offers visitors the opportunity to source items to drive sales throughout 2019, with gifting periods such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day and Christmas all covered. There will also be new exhibitors, with fresh initiatives such as First and Debut. Louise Young, Spring Fair’s managing director, said, “Visitors to Spring Fair will have unmatched access to the newest products and trends taking hold in 2019 across our 16 carefully edited show sectors. As always, we’ll be bringing together the most innovative products and the creative thinking of the trade to have a real impact on the financial success of both retailers and exhibitors. “The marketplace that Spring Fair offers is something the internet can’t provide: a place to touch the products, feel their weight, speak to the suppliers and compare your options. Discover a full range of products, whether you’re looking to stock your shop or website or just for inspiration.” Who: Spring Fair, springfair.com What: A hotbed of product spanning various halls and linked to Jewellery & Watch 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham When: 3 rd -7 th February, 2019 FASHIONFIRST Newcomers will feature in the FashionFirst showcase, where fresh brands will profile their diverse offerings. Ethically sourced produce are high on buyers’ agendas, and with socks, leopard print and other designs that mimic those found in nature being on-trend, it’s likely there’ll be an array of colourful and sustainable fashion accessories on offer. DESIGNFIRST Officially launched at Autumn Fair 2018, DesignFirst will make its Spring Fair debut, featuring exclusive manufacturers that will introduce the latest game-changing, original products. SF PRODUCT MATCH Following on from the success of Autumn Fair 2018’s Product Match app, which helped visitors find and locate the best suppliers for their businesses, Spring Fair will see the launch of a newly improved and updated version. The app will continue to learn about visitors’ preferences the more it is used in order to ensure that all Spring Fair attendees have the most productive and streamlined visits possible. THE MAIN STAGE Retail is in a state of transformation, and The Main Stage at Spring Fair will give retailers a chance to hear new ideas and inspiration. The 2019 agenda will see a range of retail leaders share their insights into topical issues, from Brexit and the impact of technology in retail to trends that inform buying decisions and the personal stories behind some of our well-loved brands. Organisations confirmed to speak on the main stage include Louis Vuitton, Wrendale, Pinterest, The V&A and The Colour Hive, with more yet to be confirmed. THE STUDIO The Studio at Spring Fair is a dedicated theatre delivering content that will look at future trends from the fashion and luxury sector, showcase emerging design talent, tackle topical discussions around the impact of technology within the sector and how to combat changes in consumer behaviours while delivering valuable business insights from industry leaders. THE RETAIL SKILLS THEATRE New for 2019 is the Retail Skills Theatre. Designed to help improve skill sets and to provide advice on anything from product photography and packing to EPOS systems, fleet and freighting, the Retail Skills Theatre is dedicated to equipping retailers with the information and skills needed to help their businesses thrive. Spring Fair: What to do and where to go